Volvo has released details of its new T3 turbocharged petrol engine, which will launch with the new XC40 crossover in the coming months.

It's the first three-cylinder engine in the Swedish manufacturer's 91-year history, and will likely rollout across the wider 40 Series range as the next generation of Volvo's smallest model family expands.

Displacing 1.5 litres, the direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine is all-new and developed in-house, using the same modular design as the company's current Drive-E four-cylinder engine family.

Initially, the T3 powertrain is only available with a six-speed manual transmission, with an eight-speed automatic to be made optional next year.

While Volvo is harping on about its new petrol engine, it is yet to disclose power and torque outputs – although the company's UK arm revealed earlier this year we can expect a 116kW tune of the T3. Stay tuned for an update on that.

Australia

Speaking with CarAdvice, Greg Bosnich, Volvo's local PR boss, said the new T3 engine will make its way to Australia, but not for a while due to a lack of automatic option until next year.

"The T3 powertrain is in our plans for introduction to Australia. Current planning would see it here during the second half of 2019," he said.